The Perpetual Race of Achilles and the Tortoise

Borges was born in Buenos Aires in 1899. A poet critic and short story writer he received numerous awards for his work including the 1961 International Publisher's Prize (shared with Samuel Beckett). He died in 1986. He has a reasonable claim with Kafka and Joyce to be the most influential writer of the 20th Century. <p>In this collection of wise witty and fascinating essays Borges discusses the existence (or non-existence) of Hell the flaws in English literary detectives the philosophy of contradictions and the many translators of <i>1001 Nights</i>. Varied and enthralling these pieces examine the very nature of our lives from cinema and books to history and religion. <br><br><br>GREAT IDEAS. Throughout history some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate dissent war and revolution. They have enlightened outraged provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers pioneers radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.</p> <p>In this collection of wise witty and fascinating essays Borges discusses the existence (or non-existence) of Hell the flaws in English literary detectives the philosophy of contradictions and the many translators of <i>1001 Nights</i>. Varied and enthralling these pieces examine the very nature of our lives from cinema and books to history and religion. <br><br><br>GREAT IDEAS. Throughout history some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate dissent war and revolution. They have enlightened outraged provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers pioneers radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.</p>